Steel the Show 2022

BY NHC/BAS

What is Steel the Show -

With 2021 being the 70th anniversary since the arrival of the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO), formed to participate in the Festival of Britain on the 26th July 1951. The group was the first steelband to travel abroad from Trinidad and Tobago , presenting the 20th century acoustic instrument, the steelpan, to an international audience. This event showcased London’s finest youth steel bands’ appreciation to show the UK’s appreciation.

There are many children and young people who spend countless hours during the year as part of a steelpan programme, with very limited events to display their work. Steel the Show is a great opportunity and really brings the focus back to young people in the build up to the Notting Hill Carnival celebrations.

In its second year , the event provides a platform to showcase the versatility of the steelpan instrument and to show appreciation for the 70th anniversary of TASPO.

The participating steelbands are required to perform five rounds of different genres of music. They each have up to five minutes to perform the genres as listed:

• Soca/Calypso

• Pop

• Reggae

• Frank Rollock Round – Classical

• Wild Card – this year songs from Disney has been chosen.

The classical round pays homage to the late Frank Rollock who was well known for introducing and encouraging young people to play classical music on the steelpan.

Steel The Show is a great community day that focuses of young people leading up to the Carnival celebrations. It was held at Powis Square, London on Saturday 13 August 2022.

Participating bands were:

• Croydon Steel Orchestra,

• Ebony Steelband,

• Glissando Steel Orchestra,

• Mangrove Steelband,

• New Generation Steel Orchestra,

• Southside Harmonics and

• Sussex Steel Orchestra.